CAT 2026 Exam Pattern & Syllabus: The Complete Guide
The Common Admission Test (CAT) is the gateway to the IIMs and 1,000+ top B-schools in India. Before you build a study plan, you need to understand exactly how the exam is structured. Here is the complete CAT exam pattern and syllabus, explained in plain language.
CAT exam pattern at a glance
CAT is a computer-based test of 120 minutes, split into three sections with a strict 40-minute limit per section. You cannot move between sections — once 40 minutes are up, the next section opens automatically.
| Section | Full form | Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| VARC | Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension | 24 | 40 min |
| DILR | Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning | 20 | 40 min |
| QA | Quantitative Aptitude | 22 | 40 min |
| Total | 66 | 120 min |
This pattern has been stable for the last several years and is expected to continue for CAT 2026. Always confirm the final pattern on the official notification (iimcat.ac.in) when it releases.
Marking scheme
- +3 marks for every correct answer
- −1 mark for every wrong MCQ (negative marking)
- 0 marks (no negative) for TITA questions (Type-In-The-Answer, non-MCQ)
Total marks = 66 × 3 = 198. Because TITA questions carry no penalty, you should always attempt them.
Section-wise syllabus
VARC (Verbal Ability & Reading Comprehension)
- Reading Comprehension passages (the bulk of the section)
- Para-jumbles, para-summary, odd-sentence-out
- Sentence completion and inference
DILR (Data Interpretation & Logical Reasoning)
- Tables, bar/line/pie charts, caselets
- Arrangements, distributions, networks, games and puzzles
- DILR rewards pattern recognition more than formulas
QA (Quantitative Aptitude)
- Arithmetic (percentages, ratios, time-speed-distance, profit & loss) — the highest-weightage area
- Algebra (equations, functions, inequalities)
- Geometry & mensuration
- Number systems, and modern maths (P&C, probability)
How is CAT scored?
Your raw score is normalised across slots and converted into a percentile. A percentile tells you the share of test-takers you scored higher than — a 99 percentile means you beat 99% of candidates. To understand how raw marks turn into percentile and what the IIMs expect, read our guide on CAT percentile vs marks.
Start preparing the smart way
Knowing the pattern is step one. The real edge comes from disciplined practice and honest analysis. On Athena you get thousands of practice questions, true-to-exam mocks and section-wise analysis — start free and turn this syllabus into a percentile.
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